Why did the Netherworld suddenly feel so eerily frightening?

After leaving Fengdu City with Youqin Xuanya, Li Changshou maintained his composure while slowly flying out of the realm of darkness, then immediately grasped Youqin Xuanya’s shoulder and swiftly executed the Water Escape technique…

“Senior Brother?”

“I’ll send you back to the sect first,” Li Changshou said in a deep voice. “Something urgent has come up that I need to handle.”

“If Xuanya can help…”

Youqin Xuanya stopped mid-sentence, sensing the current speed of their escape technique, and wisely held her tongue.

It seemed that right now she truly couldn’t help Senior Brother Changshou and would only cause him trouble.

“I can handle it, don’t worry,” Li Changshou assured her, transmitting his voice: “Return to the mountain and focus on your cultivation first. Remember to find an opportunity to tell Elder Sister Jiang that you wish to serve in the Heavenly Court. For other matters, I will explain in detail later.”

After speaking, Li Changshou focused on controlling the escape technique, with most of his consciousness returning to his true body. In the secret chamber of Small Qiong Peak, he drew what he had seen earlier.

He drew three portraits, all depicting the black-dressed woman crying while lying on the lake’s surface. Afterward, he sat in his round chair, lost in thought for a long while.

Was he overreacting to such a strange encounter in the primordial world?

No, this reaction was the result of Li Changshou suppressing his Dao heart’s fluctuations!

Just now, that wave of sadness that washed over him had aroused extremely dark emotions in his heart. He—someone who had lived a decent life in his previous incarnation and now held foreign citizenship in the primordial world—had nearly broken down in tears.

Though it wasn’t a crime for men to cry, if he had been assimilated by that sorrowful Dao rhythm in that instant, it would have caused immense damage to his Dao’s heart…

What was that lady’s deal?

Asking him to save her?

The Netherworld, near the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate…

Analyzing carefully and comparing with his several previous visits to the Reincarnation Immortal Island, the only additional event this time seemed to be the opening of the gate to the Eighteen Layers of Hell.

The greatest possibility was that some powerful being was imprisoned in the Eighteen Layers of Hell!

But why launch a mental assault specifically on him?

Junior Sister Youqin, who was emotionally affected and had relatively lower cultivation, showed no abnormal reaction.

Li Changshou calculated with his fingers, searching through Heaven’s mechanisms, but due to his limited divination abilities, he could only determine that the woman was indeed an existing ‘spirit.’

What he saw was not an illusion.

Suddenly, Li Changshou thought of those two giant stone statues carrying the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate on their backs.

Could this woman seeking his help be the Great Virtuous Houtu?

But why would Great Virtuous Houtu be in such a situation?

Thinking of how his paper avatar had briefly lost contact during its last entry into the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate, its miserable state upon emerging, and the signs of mischief when King Qinguang and King Chujiang entered and exited the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate…

This evidence was sufficient to prove that Lady Houtu was within the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate and quite playful at that.

Then, who was the one seeking his help?

That ‘Senior Lang’?

This seemed unlikely too. The Holy Mother had previously spoken clearly about Senior Lang’s fate—complete erasure by the Heavenly Dao.

The one who dealt with Senior Lang should have been the Dao Ancestor, and how could such a ruthless old figure leave such a hidden danger?

He had just made three portraits, partly to test the Heavenly Dao’s reaction, and there had been no response…

This completely ruled out the possibility that the person in the painting was the ‘taboo Senior Lang.’

Then, who exactly was this woman?

To be safe, Li Changshou didn’t plan to keep this matter as his secret, lest he be drawn into strange karmic entanglements.

What needed to be done now?

Report it!

When there’s a problem, ask the teacher!

Report this situation to Doushuai Palace, dissolving in advance any personal risks that need to be borne!

If this woman was a dangerous figure, he had only passively received a plea for help and hadn’t done anything wrong.

Li Changshou summoned three paper avatar drivers, having each take one scroll painting, and sent them toward the Heavenly Court, East Sea, and South Sea Water God Temples.

Though he was multitasking at this point, Li Changshou kept most of his mental energy on his true body, continuously calculating with his fingers, trying to determine who this woman he had seen might be…

Half an hour later, the sound of rushing water echoed in the Sea God Temple as Zhao Gongming happened to return at this moment.

Li Changshou rose to welcome them as Zhao Gongming and Golden Light Holy Mother descended from their clouds, both wearing relaxed smiles…

“You two, have you reached an agreement?”

Li Changshou asked gently, and before Zhao Gongming and Golden Light Holy Mother had even descended from their clouds, they were already nodding in unison.

Zhao Gongming smiled with a sigh: “Just as you said, little brother, we two indeed needed to give each other closure.”

“What Water God said that day, Golden Light now understands,” Golden Light Holy Mother bowed slightly. “What I felt for Senior Brother Gongming was more admiration and respect, and interaction would indeed have been quite awkward…”

Li Changshou smiled, “It’s good that you two have decided.”

Then, Li Changshou’s expression changed as he deliberately showed some difficulty and said softly: “Regarding the matter of this celebration, I’m afraid I temporarily cannot help you two arrange it.”

Golden Light Holy Mother hurriedly said: “This matter shouldn’t have troubled Water God in the first place.”

Zhao Gongming asked directly: “Have you suddenly encountered some trouble?”

Li Changshou nodded with a grave expression, “Big brother, how much do you know about the Netherworld officials?”

“The Netherworld?”

Zhao Gongming said curiously: “The Netherworld officials were established in ancient times, even before the current Heavenly Court. It was when the shamanic ancestor Great Virtuous Houtu sacrificed herself, transforming into the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate to guide wandering souls in Heaven and Earth toward reincarnation and rebirth. To protect the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate and maintain the stability of reincarnation across the Three Realms and Six Paths, the Netherworld officials were established…”

Li Changshou asked softly: “Are there any rather obscure but reliable pieces of information that most beings don’t know?”

Zhao Gongming pondered, while Golden Light Holy Mother also helped think.

Soon, Old Man Zhao, with an attitude of giving it a try, said:

“Great Virtuous Houtu was once among the top three powerhouses of the Twelve Ancestral Shamans, do you know this, little brother? In her time, she was said to be invincible while standing upon the earth, and among the Twelve Ancestral Shamans, she was closest to having an Innate Dao Body and had the deepest understanding of Pangu God’s Dao. However, after ancient times, few people mentioned such things.”

Li Changshou nodded upon hearing this and continued to look at Zhao Gongming with expectant eyes;

Old Man Zhao immediately knew he hadn’t hit the mark and continued calculating with his fingers lowered.

Golden Light Holy Mother said from the side: “I have heard people say that the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate seems incomplete, just like the Jade Disc of Creation used by the Dao Ancestor to complete the Heavenly Dao back then. As the Heavenly Dao has gaps, and the Jade Disc of Creation retained a slight crack, the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate seems unable to be perfect, having some minor flaws.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Indeed, that’s the principle.”

Golden Light Holy Mother, who appeared more mature and intellectual than during their last meeting, smiled somewhat embarrassedly…

She truly couldn’t help much either.

Li Changshou waited a while longer, then asked Zhao Gongming directly: “Big brother, did you ever see Lady Houtu in ancient times?”

“Of course,” Zhao Gongming’s eyes revealed a reminiscent look as he stroked his beard and smiled, “Lady Houtu was kind-hearted and benevolent. Even during the war between shamans and immortals, she mostly stayed on defense and rarely engaged in killing. I was also fortunate enough to discuss the Dao with Lady Houtu, but unfortunately… Well, there’s nothing unfortunate about it. She simply made her own choice, dedicating herself to living beings and the shamanic tribe.”

As Zhao Gongming spoke, Li Changshou had already summoned the writing desk and ink, and with a few strokes, drew a profile.

“Big brother, do you recognize this person?”

“Isn’t this Lady Houtu?”

Zhao Gongming said with a smile, “Where did you see such a portrait… Little brother, what’s wrong? Your expression seems quite off.”

Li Changshou slowly exhaled and stepped back to sit in the main seat.

This matter seemed to have exceeded his expectations.

Two hours later, Li Changshou had finally completely confirmed that the black-dressed woman bound on the lake surface, emanating endless sorrow, was indeed the legendary Great Virtuous Houtu.

Of the three portraits he had made, he first showed them to Zhao Gongming, who firmly stated that this was Lady Houtu.

Then Li Changshou’s paper avatar went to the Dragon Palace to inquire about information, using the knowledge stored in these “living fossils of the primordial world” to confirm this matter again.

During this process, Li Changshou told Zhao Gongming the truth but partially concealed it from the Dragon Palace.

For no other reason than to prevent the Dragon Palace from worrying needlessly.

In the back hall of the Sea God Temple, Zhao Gongming and Golden Light Holy Mother paced back and forth before Li Changshou, one stroking his beard, the other pinching her chin, both wracking their brains to help think about what hidden truth might lie behind this matter.

Zhao Gongming said: “Lady Houtu seeking your help—could there be something wrong with the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate? Heaven’s mechanisms show that the Netherworld is all well, with no signs of collapse.”

“Could it be that it wasn’t Lady Houtu seeking your help,” Golden Light Holy Mother’s eyes brightened, “Could it be that you, Water God… have a problem with your Dao’s heart?”

Li Changshou smiled somewhat helplessly and closed his eyes, and his paper avatar emanated a faint cyan light as a strand of absolutely pure Dao rhythm flowed outward…

Golden Light Holy Mother exclaimed in admiration: “Friend, you’ve cultivated an unblemished Dao heart. Golden Light spoke wrongly just now.”

Zhao Gongming said: “Why don’t I go ask at Three Immortal Island? More people thinking together would be better than us being stuck here.”

“Big brother, you mustn’t,” Li Changshou said seriously. “The fewer who know of this matter, the better, to avoid causing panic among living beings. I’ll go ask Senior Brother Xuandu, or seek guidance from Lord Lao to clarify things. Please, big brother and Friend Golden Light, don’t mention this matter to anyone.”

“Very well!”

Zhao Gongming agreed with a solemn expression, and immediately took his leave with Golden Light Holy Mother, telling Li Changshou not to worry too much about their affairs and to focus on this major matter first…

Just after sending off these two Severing Sect immortals who would make history in the primordial world, Li Changshou’s Water God avatar in the Heavenly Court had already flown to Doushuai Palace.

Lord Lao was out wandering and not in the palace. Li Changshou easily found the Great Sorcerer sleeping in the back courtyard…

Unfortunately, Li Changshou didn’t obtain much useful information, only reporting the matter to the Great Sorcerer to gain another layer of protection from responsibility.

The Great Sorcerer also felt this matter was suspicious from every angle, so he summoned the Taiji Diagram and fully activated his divination powers, only to reach one conclusion:

“The Six Paths Reincarnation Plate shows no problems.”

“Then, the problem might be with Lady Houtu herself,” Li Changshou said.

The Great Sorcerer said seriously: “Lady Houtu is the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate, and the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate is Lady Houtu—they are the same. Heaven’s mechanisms show the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate is fine, so naturally Lady Houtu must be fine too. Changshou, is it possible that because Uncle Master Jade Emperor and Mother Queen have gone to experience mortal trials, leaving you to handle Heavenly Court affairs, you’ve been putting too much pressure on yourself, causing problems with your Dao’s heart?”

“Well… I’m quite relaxed, though that’s not to say I’m not taking Heavenly Court affairs seriously. The Heavenly Court itself doesn’t have too many matters.”

Li Changshou explained somewhat awkwardly, then said: “Great Sorcerer, would you please accompany me to visit the Holy Mother at her palace?”

“That’s a small matter,” the Great Sorcerer smiled and nodded, not asking anything more and simply agreeing.

Li Changshou rarely acted so hastily.

His true body hidden within the driver paper avatar, he secretly rushed to meet the Great Sorcerer at Doushuai Palace in the Heavenly Court;

The Great Sorcerer directly used the Taiji Diagram to break through space and go to the Holy Mother’s Palace beyond heaven.

This pair of brothers whose relationship hadn’t been officially announced soon left the Five Continents’ territory, appearing in the starry void beyond heaven.

The Great Sorcerer drove a cloud carrying Li Changshou toward a point of brilliant light. Before they had flown a hundred li, immortal light shone from ahead, and a door appeared in mid-air, taking them both inside.

They arrived again in that beautiful small world, where abundant spiritual energy and refreshing breezes, along with carefree laughter scattered in the wind, instantly calmed Li Changshou’s mind considerably.

Two immortal maidens came riding two cloud boats, bowing from afar. One said:

“The Holy Mother already knows why the two Human Dao brothers have come. Please have Senior Brother Xuandu wait in the hall. Today, the Holy Mother will only see Water God alone.”

Great Sorcerer Xuandu smiled and nodded, saying nothing more as he stepped onto one of the cloud boats with his hands behind his back.

Li Changshou bowed to the Great Sorcerer and jumped onto the other boat.

The Great Sorcerer advised: “Brother, don’t lose your manners before a Sage.”

“Rest assured, Senior Brother,” Li Changshou agreed, glancing at the several sets of comic books in his storage treasure, feeling somewhat anxious… How long would the Holy Mother keep him this time?

However, one advantage was that being confined in that white world’s tower by the Holy Mother would give him more time to polish his mental state—hundreds of years inside would pass in just an instant outside…

The two cloud boats traveled together halfway before separating among the clusters of palaces.

Li Changshou was taken to that peaceful lake, directly reaching the lake island and standing before the tower’s door, where he bowed deeply.

“Disciple greets Holy Mother.”

“Come in,” a somewhat lazy voice came from within the door as if the Holy Mother had just awakened.

Li Changshou turned to look behind him, but the guiding immortal maiden was already gone. He raised his hand to push open the wooden door.

Ahead was a membrane shimmering with seven-colored flowing light. Li Changshou carefully stepped through it, feeling time flow nearly stop, arriving again in that familiar room.

Familiar pool, screen, carpet, decorative settings…

Goddess Nüwa, wearing a loose, warm yellow short dress, was now floating in the water pool, with an air cushion floating beneath her;

A comic book created by Li Changshou floated before her, with various fruits and delicacies floating beside it, as well as the Holy Mother’s favorite iced fruit juice.

Seeing this scene, Li Changshou felt somewhat helpless to comment.

The primordial world not only lacked wasabi, making the way of sashimi incomplete.

It also lacked otaku happiness water, making the way of being a shut-in lose a small part of its joy.

Ahem, back to serious matters.

“Holy Mother…”

“Did you see Houtu?”

“Yes,” Li Changshou answered honestly, lowering his head and not daring to look much. “I’ve come seeking an audience to ask Holy Mother to resolve my confusion.”

The goddess in the pool said calmly: “What do you want to know?”

Li Changshou searched in his sleeve for a while, then brought out three thick stacks of books;

The goddess in the pool snapped shut the book in her hand with a ‘pa’ sound, and her devastatingly beautiful yet solemn face revealed a satisfied smile:

“Speak. What do you want to know?

The matter of Houtu isn’t exactly taboo, just rather secret. Only a few of us know about it.”

Li Changshou made a bow and respectfully sent the picture albums over using immortal power.

Then, Li Changshou fully described what he had seen before, and brought out that portrait.

Goddess Nüwa summoned the portrait over and held it in her hand, looking at it carefully. Her phoenix eyes showed a trace of helplessness, “She has indeed suffered.”

“Holy Mother, what do you mean by this?”

Nüwa asked: “Have you previously entered the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate once?”

“Disciple entered once with an avatar,” Li Changshou was somewhat surprised. “Holy Mother didn’t know of this?”

“I could know if I wished to,” Nüwa said calmly, “but why would you think a Sage must monitor every living being in heaven and earth at all times?”

Li Changshou was left speechless: “Well…”

“Ah, I almost forgot,” Nüwa’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she teased him, “Your personality is quite peculiar. If you became a Sage, you would monitor all things in heaven and earth, taking on unnecessary suffering yet enjoying it. Of course, you cannot become a Sage in this world as it is now.”

Li Changshou: “Holy Mother, using such a flat tone to strike at someone is a bit too harsh. Holy Mother, please tell disciple about Houtu’s matter.”

“What’s the hurry?”

Nüwa lifted her chin slightly. Li Changshou turned to look and saw that the corner where he had sat during his last visit had been transformed into a small study.

A low table, cushions, screen, incense burner… The furnishings were quite complete.

“Since you’re here, you should draw another volume.

As thanks, I will point you toward a clear path to earn merit in the Netherworld, helping you complete your Merit Golden Body. How about that?”

Li Changshou very calmly made a bow, turned, and sat in the corner, skillfully spreading out paper and ink, and taking out a set of calipers, templates, and other drawing tools.

He drew for a while, then began a question-and-answer session, and regarding that great merit in the Netherworld, Li Changshou finally had some clue.

Soon, hearing the sound of splashing water, Goddess Nüwa stepped out of the pool, her snake tail transforming into feet, her short dress changing into a golden long dress.

Though dressed casually and with her Sage’s majesty withdrawn, Goddess Nüwa naturally possessed an indescribable ‘presence,’ constantly emanating sacred radiance.

She walked to the newly erected bookshelf at the side, placing the newly received works one by one within it; this small task that could easily be accomplished with immortal power, she now did with particular care.

“Holy Mother, that figure I saw…”

“Is Houtu, yet not Houtu,” Nüwa’s voice carried a faint regret. “You should know that when living beings develop spiritual awareness, they have seven emotions…”

Li Changshou’s brush paused, immediately thinking of something. “Could it be that Lady Houtu has been affected by the reincarnating living beings?”

“Correct,” Goddess Nüwa said gently. “Even though souls drink Mother Ghost’s soup before reincarnation, losing their memories, they always retain a tiny trace of the seven emotions.

When souls’ spiritual thoughts enter the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate, they cannot accompany living beings in reincarnation, so they leave behind tiny traces of the seven emotions in the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate—joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hate, or desire.

This isn’t a flaw in the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate, but rather how it was meant to operate.

When Houtu decided to transform herself into the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate in ancient times, she was already prepared for this, but we Sages and Houtu herself all underestimated the complexity of living beings’ seven emotions;

As they accumulated over time, Houtu’s divine consciousness nearly collapsed, forcing her to completely merge with the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate, unable to separate again.”

Goddess Nüwa paused in her speech, having now turned to lean against the bookshelf, opening the first volume of Li Changshou’s new work as she continued:

“But living beings continuously reincarnate, especially after humans became the protagonists of heaven and earth. Due to their limited lifespans, soul reincarnation became much more frequent.

Moreover, humans’ seven emotions and six desires are the most numerous among all races, which undoubtedly increases Houtu’s burden.

But she never complained to the Heavenly Dao, silently enduring until one day…”

“What happened?”

“Where she had sealed herself, seven emotional thoughts leaked out, and the first emotional avatar emerged—the one you saw, Houtu’s Sorrow.”

Li Changshou was lost in thought for a long time after hearing this, and said softly, “Could this avatar be imprisoned beneath the Eighteen Layers of Hell?”

“Correct,” Goddess Nüwa said. “As far as I know, three emotional avatars have appeared so far—Sorrow, Hatred, and Desire. Sorrow is the gentlest, so she was imprisoned beneath the Eighteen Layers of Hell.

As for Hatred and Desire, they are bound within the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate by Houtu herself.”

Li Changshou couldn’t help asking: “What will happen if all seven emotional avatars appear?”

“Houtu would likely lose herself, split from one into seven, and then her consciousness would shatter,” Goddess Nüwa paused. “She would completely transform into the spirit of a Heavenly Dao artifact, but this would not be good for the Heavenly Dao.

If you can think of a way to help Houtu overcome this crisis, the Heavenly Dao will naturally bestow great merit upon you.”

Li Changshou smiled bitterly: “If even the honored Sages have no solution, what could disciple do?”

“No, you’re different from us,” Nüwa continued flipping through the picture album in her hand, as if casually giving Li Changshou hints. “Some strange ideas perhaps only you would have in the primordial world.

Perhaps this is why Houtu sought help from you through her Sorrow.”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, then asked: “About Lady Houtu and that Senior Lang…”

“There is no connection… Are you going to draw or not?”

“I’ll draw, I’ll draw. Holy Mother, let me organize my emotions and find some inspiration,” Li Changshou agreed and lowered his head to begin working.